First Visit to Rheumatology, Take Two.

[BettieJ]

Just the once, it would be really nice if the left hand actually knew what the right hand was up to regarding this diagnosis malarkey ( I would say farce, but I'm not quite there yet!).

After drawing shedloads of blood for Anti phospholipid syndrome- which seemed a complete waste of time and money given that I've never had clotting problems in my life- (though I do understand the need to rule it out given that it is a condition that can be confused with MS, it may well have been better if the Rheumatologist had actually asked me about it instead of making sweeping assumptions) the one blood test that may just clinch a diagnosis - ENA -has not been conducted by the lab because they lost the sample not once, not twice, but a truly staggering FOUR times!!!! I've just come back from the hospital where I've had it drawn for the FIFTH time.

Perhaps I should have arranged for a security guard to accompany it on this occasion. At least then it might stand a chance of getting to its destination safely!!

ARRRRGH!!!!!

B x

[1985mum]

Have you had an ana? My understanding is that ena is taken out of the same test tube. I stand to be corrected though....

[BettieJ in reply to 1985mum]

Hi 1985mum,

I had an Ana taken by my gp,which came back positive,but there was only enough blood left in the sample to indicate a positive Ena. Four further samples taken at the hospital for the Rheumy have all done a runner!!

B

[1985mum in reply to BettieJ]

Grrr! Fault of the collection pathologist for not taking enough blood first time around and fault of the lab for not having proper protocols in place!

I like the sound of the security guards....

[BettieJ in reply to 1985mum]

Quite right!! ( and the hunkier the security guard the better!!)

[PMRpro in reply to BettieJ]

Er- have you seen the average NHS security guard?

[BettieJ in reply to PMRpro]

I have (*shudder*) - but this is an ideal NHS we are talking about here!!

[PMRpro in reply to BettieJ]

In your dreams!

[BettieJ in reply to PMRpro]

Its a nice dream though!

[PMRpro in reply to BettieJ]

It is...

[PMRpro]

Think I'd have insisted on accompanying it to the lab - or taking it myself...

And it is time to submit a formal complaint because if their set-up is that poor one day someone will die as a result. I once worked in the labs - someone would have been on the carpet for that sort of series of idiocy in my day!

[BettieJ in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRpro,

You're quite right, I should have gone to the lab with it myself!

As to a formal complaint, its already in - but given the state of the poor old NHS these days, I am not holding my breath for any sort of meaningful response any time soon ( though a 'we're REALLY sorry' would not go amiss!)

B

[PMRpro in reply to BettieJ]

I would be less bothered about an apology - though having blood taken that often is a trifle off just because of their stupidity and what if it had been a child? - but at least the official complaint means someone has to look at the situation and maybe they will identify a tracking problem that could well result in a death.

And I'm not so convinced about the fact that it's all automated these days -the commitment to the right result being produced is less to the fore. Workman's pride and all that!

[Maureenpearl]

The blood sample could have been accidentally dropped by a lab technician or they did the wrong test and the excuse is "we have lost it". I'm sure the person or persons involved have been reprimanded.

Hope the sample get handled and tested correctly this time.